What Is a Heart Murmur?

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A heart murmur is an extra sound heard when listening to your cat’s heart with a stethoscope. It is caused by turbulent blood flow within the heart or surrounding vessels.

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Murmurs can range from innocent (harmless) to signs of underlying heart disease. Further tests help us determine the cause and whether treatment or monitoring is needed.

 

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Recommended Tests

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To understand your cat’s heart health, we may recommend some or all of the following:

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Blood Tests which may include:

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• General health screening before medication.

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• Cardiac biomarkers (e.g., NT-proBNP) in some cases.

 

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Blood Pressure Measurement

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• High blood pressure can worsen heart disease.
   

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Echocardiogram (Heart Ultrasound)

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• The most important test for diagnosing heart disease.

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• Allows us to see heart structure, valve function, and blood flow.
   

 

How Often Are Tests Repeated?

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Monitoring frequency depends on:

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• The murmur grade

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• Whether heart disease is present

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• Your cat’s symptoms

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• Any medications prescribed

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Typical monitoring schedule:

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• Innocent/low-grade murmurs: Recheck every 6–12 months.

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• Diagnosed heart disease (no symptoms): Echocardiogram and/or X-rays every 6–12 months.

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• Cats on heart medication: Monitoring every 3–6 months (or as advised).

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• If symptoms develop (coughing, breathing changes, lethargy, collapse): Immediate reassessment is recommended.

 

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Signs to Watch For at Home

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Please contact us if you notice:

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• Increased breathing rate or effort (over 45 breaths per minute whilst at rest)

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• Coughing

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• Exercise intolerance

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• Lethargy or weakness

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• Collapse/fainting

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• Reduced appetite

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• Distended abdomen

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Early intervention greatly improves outcomes.

 

If you have any concerns about your cat’s breathing, energy levels, or comfort, please contact us promptly.

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Early monitoring and treatment can make a significant difference to quality of life.